Goodell's controversial treatment of the Saints plays a central role in this article, which includes a variety of viewpoints. Among them is a quote from Saints quarterback Drew Brees, who said he's "disappointed" in Goodell.

"Really a lack of accountability from the top down," Brees said. "Also, I feel like, in large part, this bounty scandal, so to speak, is a big facade and a way to cover up the shortcomings of the league and the commissioner with regards to player health and safety over the last three years."

Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe, who is identified as one of the league's most outspoken, honest and thoughtful players, is also quoted as saying Goodell's bounty punishments against the Saints were "definitely an abuse of power."

And author Sean Gregory references the hypocrisy of Goodell pushing for an 18-game schedule and allowing replacement referees to work games this year while claiming to care so much about player safety.

Obviously the article also goes into great detail about what motivates Goodell, including his response to the bounty fallout:

"I hear from players all the time. They don't want to be targeted," Goodell said. "No one wants to play a game where that exists. On any level. So I don't make any apologies for taking a strong position on this."

The lengthy article also delves into Goodell's background and life story, as well as putting his bounty actions into the context of the player health and safety concerns that have consumed the league in recent years, including the recent murder-suicide of Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Jovan Belcher. Among many other issues concerning health and safety, Goodell discussed potential replacements for the kickoff -- one of the most dangerous plays in the NFL.

If nothing else, the article offers plenty of insight into the man who became Public Enemy No. 1 in New Orleans this year, and why he did it.

- Last but not least comes this egg-Gate article from last week in Atlanta, in which bus driver Michael Triplett is quoted. As far as I know, we aren't related, but I'm glad he wasn't hurt just the same. ... I'm also not related to this week's referee for the Saints-Giants game, Jeff Triplette, though I do blame him for single-handedly causing more misspellings of my last name than anyone else.

Brees is now tied with Indianapolis Colts rookie Andrew Luck for the NFL lead with 16 interceptions this year. And three of those interceptions have been returned for touchdowns. But again, he's not alone. As Newsday's Bob Glauber tweeted this week, the NFL is a passing league now, "but it's an interception league, too." According to Glauber, 52 interceptions have been returned for touchdowns this year in the NFL, the most ever at this point of the season.

4. AVOIDING INFAMY?:

Based on their recent resurgence on defense, the Saints might be able to avoid breaking the NFL record for most yards allowed in a season. Through 12 games, they have allowed 5,286 yards (440.5 yards per game). The NFL record for yards allowed in a 16-game season is 424.6 yards per game, by the 1981 Baltimore Colts.

The Saints are still ahead of the pace. However, they have allowed a season-low yardage total in each of their past three games (404 yards at the Oakland Raiders, 375 yards vs. the San Francisco 49ers, then a downright dominant 283 yards at the Atlanta Falcons).

To avoid the record, the Saints need to allow 367.5 yards per game or less over their final four games.

The Saints have already shed one nagging label during their recent run of success. For the first time since Week 6, they have no longer allowed the most yards in NFL history through this stage of the season. The 1950 Baltimore Colts allowed more yards through 12 games (5,364) than the Saints have allowed this year.

5. ENCOURAGING STAT OF THE WEEK:

Five teams in NFL history have started 5-7 or worse and still made the playoffs - including the 1990 Saints, who finished 8-8 to win a wild-card spot.

6. DISCOURAGING STAT OF THE WEEK:

Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins has made some of the biggest plays of the year for the Saints defense, but he's also missed on his share of them. According to Pro Football Focus, Jenkins has missed 20 tackles this season. That puts him on pace to surpass the 24 missed tackles last year by Tanard Jenkins with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which was the most PFF has ever recorded for a safety in a single season.

7. OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK:

Colleague Jeff Duncan correctly noted on Twitter this week that of all the big-name players who left the Saints in free agency this year, none is having a better 2012 season than St. Louis Rams linebacker Jo-Lonn Dunbar. Dunbar has 79 tackles this year, according to the NFL's stats service, with 3.5 sacks, an interception and a forced fumble while starting every game for St. Louis. Meanwhile, former Saints guard Carl Nicks and cornerback Tracy Porter have been plagued by injuries. And receiver Robert Meachem has been phased out of the San Diego Chargers lineup, catching only two passes in the last six games.

8. TWEET OF THE WEEK:

Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma (@JonVilma51) is always a candidate for this list since he pulls no punches while talking about the NFL and Goodell (his "blah, blah, blah" summation of last week's bounty proceedings was especially good). But we'll give this week's honor to defensive end Cameron Jordan for his morning-after take on the Saints' loss at Atlanta:

"Off the plane in still sick to my stomach, watched the film 4 times, still sick to my stomach" -- @CamJordan94

9. UNIFORMITY:

The Saints will wear white jerseys and black pants for the seventh time this year. They're 3-3 in that combo this year after last week's loss. But as uniform enthusiast Bradley Handwerger of WWLTV.com dug up, they wore this same uniform combo when they won their last road game at the New York Giants in December 2006.

In fact, the Saints are 3-1 in white-on-black in December in the Payton/Brees era (also winning at Detroit in 2008 and at Cincinnati in 2010, with a loss at Baltimore in 2010).

10. FEARLESS PREDICTION FOR WEEK 14:

How can I possibly make a fearless prediction when it comes to these two Jekyll and Hyde teams? Part of me wants to pick the Saints because I can't believe they'll drop three straight after they seemingly got their act together midseason. And I like that they had the extra-long week to prepare while the Giants are on a short week. But that's nullified by the home-field advantage. So I'll go with the Giants, 28-24, because I can't shake the idea that the Saints' pass protection will struggle against New York's pass rushers. I'll predict at least one sack each for Jason Pierre-Paul, Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka.